The number of beauty enthusiasts seeking plastic surgery is rising worldwide. Many nations with growing economies have embraced self-improvement procedures for a better quality of life.

Liposuction, breast enhancements and eyelid reshaping are the most popular surgeries according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS). The ISAPS also notes that the most popular plastic operations in the United States are breast augmentations, nose, and eyelid surgeries. The United States tops their list of countries performing the most procedures with more than one million a year. Brazil and China follow close behind.

Ethnic Trends

Accurate statistics revealing the procedures specific ethnic groups seeking are unavailable because many private offices don’t permit access to records. The New York Times researched the topic a few years ago after noticing a rise in plastic surgeons catering to specific ethnic groups and their cultural preferences of beauty. They found particular surgical trends in different ethnic groups. Egyptian patients got face lifts. Italians had their knees reshaped. Arab-Americans chose nose reshaping.

Television host Julie Chen recently announced that she had eyelid surgery in 1995 to make her eyes appear bigger and rounder.(AP Photo)

Global Eyelid Surgeries

Many in the Asian community modify upper eyelid appearance. T.V. personality Julie Chen recently came forward about her own plastic surgery procedure. She had a blepharoplasty to enhance her upper eyelids, a popular choice in South Korea. According to Dr. Park, Korea’s National Secretary of the ISAPS, “Blepharoplasty is the most common cosmetic surgery in Korea.” This kind of surgery is increasingly performed in the U.S. as well for aging changes of the upper eyelids.

The term Asian Eyes is a name for the skin fold of the upper eyelid that often obscures the skin crease between upper lashes and the eyebrow. Surgeons are able to adjust eyelid appearance to make the crease visible, change the upper eyelid shape, open the eyes slightly for a more alert appearance, and incorporate other desired changes. Depending on patient desire, results may be subtle or dramatic.

Seeing the Results

There is no single technique for all “Asian” eyelid procedures; finding a surgeon who understands this is important. Every individual and situation is different. Patient preferences and desired result determine the procedure. Upper eyelid changes can be accomplished under local anesthesia in the office.